Obituary of Robert H. Rogers

GENEVA - Robert Harding Rogers, 89, passed away Wed. (Jan. 19, 2011) at Geneva General Hospital. Born on May 30, 1921, Rogers was the son of Warren and Emily Rogers. There will be no prior calling hours. A private service will be held at a later date. An accomplished athlete, Rogers was a member of Geneva High School's class of 1939, where he served as senior high school class president and graduated with honors. He was one of only a few students in Geneva history to have lettered in five sports. Following graduation from high school, Rogers enrolled in Hobart College, where he majored in chemistry and entered the Marine Corps Platoon Leader's class. In 1942, Rogers temporarily left Hobart to pursue active military duty in the United States Marine Corps, Company E, 8th Marines-2nd division. He served in five campaigns in the South Pacific, first in Guadalcanal, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. In 1943, Rogers was promoted to Rifle Company Commander and led his troops in the Tarawa campaign, the first American offensive in the critical central pacific region and one of the deadliest battles of World War II. In 1944, Rogers served as Captain in the Saipan campaign, following which he was awarded the Silver Star for his inspiring leadership, tactical judgment and zealous devotion to duty. Rogers also served as Rifle Company Commander Officer during the Tinian and Okinawa campaigns. In 1945, Rogers was honored with the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement as Rifle Company Commander of Company E from 1942 to 1945. Following his active military service, Rogers resumed his college education as well as his athletic pursuits. He was named All-American Lacrosse in 1946. Rogers graduated from Hobart and attended graduate school at the University of Michigan. He began his professional career as a research chemist with Dupont Corp. in Newburgh, NY. Rogers maintained an active role in the Marine Corps Reserve, retiring in 1959 as a Colonel. In 1953, Rogers married Pamela Milne of Newburgh and returned to Geneva, where he worked with his father at the W.E. Rogers Insurance Agency, Inc. Rogers assumed ownership of the agency in 1965, retiring in 1994. Rogers was active in numerous civic organizations including Rotary Club, American Legion, YMCA and Hydrant Hose. He is survived by his wife Pamela of Geneva; sons, Robert, Jr. of Penfield and Matthew of Phelps; daughter, Betsy (Robert) Allen of Syracuse; two granddaughters, Caitlin Rogers and Lark Allen; brother, Charles Rogers of Massachusetts, sister, Nancy Smith of Geneva and several nieces and nephews. "All men are dust, some men are gold dust"